Searched at Customs

[Braveheart 0]

I've done a lot of travelling in the past 5 years and up until this past weekend on my return to Canada from LOS I had never been selected by Customs for special attention in any country.

 

Saturday evening I arrived at SFO and held up at Customs for 2 hours they completely emptied all of my bags and went through everything with a fine-toothed comb. They pulled my pockets inside out, searched for hidden pockets everywhere, unrolled my socks and underwear (all unwashed so I had a measure of revenge). They swabbed just about everything trying to find trace amounts of drugs and explosives. Most importantly they took my laptop, external hard drive, camera, memory cards, data sticks and CDs.

 

All told I was held up by US Customs for a little over 2 hours. Luckily I had an overnight with an early AM departure for Vancouver or I never would have made my flight if I had a quick connection. they found nothing because I was very careful about the photos I had with me, although some of the girls may have looked younger than they were all of them were clothed in my photos (except for a couple of well hidden files that would require a computer expert to find).

 

Upon arrival in Vancouver the next morning the procedure was repeated, right down to the last detail.

 

I've never had this happen before and I suspect it was because of some of the stamps and visas in my passport including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Croatia, UAE, India, Nepal, Cambodia, Turkey and Thailand to name a few. This was the first time I ever travelled without a Military or NATO ID card so it took some time to explain why I had been some of the places I had and what I had been doing there. It shouldn't be so bad next time as I only have one page left in this passport and will have to get a new passport prior to travelling again (3rd in less than 5 years).

 

Has anyone else ever experienced anything like this?

[too_mutt 10]

I suspect it was because of some of the stamps and visas in my passport including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Croatia, UAE, India, Nepal, Cambodia, Turkey and Thailand to name a few.

I think your suspicion is correct. To visit so many places as an average civilian in so short a time period probably raises a red flag unfortunately. Most people that are retired would not have the stamina to do the much travel, and their (customs) question would probably be: why. Thanks for the post.

 

Regards

[ting_tong 63]

if you put the wrong thing in the customs declaration, you get the special line and special VIP treatment.

 

I did that one time, but it was not as bad as you, I stated I bought "heart meds" & "cholesterol meds"

 

They looked for prescription drugs and asked about valium, diazepan and muscle relaxants.

[laffnliv 78]

Wow! What an experience! The only time I was checked was when I was asked about souveniers I truthfully said I had some carved Buffalo horns for my grandsons. They did a quick x-ray to make sure they weren't packed with "stuff" and I passed through with no other problems.

 

Since I live in LOS now and only travel with a carry-on and my laptop I am never stopped. Maybe because of my baby blue eyes.....?

 

Little Roy

[Shuggy 8]

From where i'm sitting 2 full searches in 2 different countries sounds like they had info on you. e.g. a tip off.

 

You pissed someone off at home ? Could it be someone you know made a call or two? Ex girlfriend or wife? Feminazi at work? God botherer ? Basically anyone with a vendeta or some self righteous ferang fuckwit trying to save the poor BG's from the evils of Braveheart's schlong.

 

All it will take is an annoymous call with some made up bullshit and they will breaking out the gloves and asking you to touch your toes.

 

Also possibly someone with a warped sense of humour.

[Braveheart 0]

Yes it does sound like they were waiting for you and only you,

but I've been search 4 out of the last 7 trips when returning through SFO and they are not looking for drugs, but we (the board) have had this discussion before. They have been stopping almost all unaccompanied males who have visited Thailand. This last time they asked what cities I visited while in Thailand. I'm sure if I had said, "Pattaya," there would have been another trip to the inspection tables.

If the customs officer I first spoke to had asked me what I was doing I probavly would have told him I went to get laid. Unfortunately the official was FEMALE and this made my approach to the situation a bit different as I tried to be polite and not joke around like I normally would.

 

My biggest concern, and the warning I really want to pass aloong to all, is that they spent an hour and a half with my laptop, camera and accessories. Luckily I (for once) had no incriminating pictures of any type on my laptop or camera. They never searched me physically, which surprised me, if they had they would have found 2 memory sticks full of pictures, some of which may have been more than a little suspect.

 

We all know that many of the women we photograph look much younger than they are and the burden of proving their age would be up to us. This trip I made sure that I got a phone number for every girl that I went with (and a few that I didn't) just in case I ran into a problem somewhere. Luckily I made it through with only a delay and having to repack my luggage a couple of times.

[donny 1]

The no-brainer solution for anyone taking photos in LOS is to upload them to an online service. I pay $25 per year for a pro account at Flickr but you can get free accounts too. I originally signed up simply to have somewhere to put my pics but was surprised to discover that it made organizing them so easy and fun that I got more into taking photos. There are loads of similar services, all very cheap and more convenient then hiding memory sticks up your arse.

[Braveheart 0]

The no-brainer solution for anyone taking photos in LOS is to upload them to an online service. I pay $25 per year for a pro account at Flickr but you can get free accounts too. I originally signed up simply to have somewhere to put my pics but was surprised to discover that it made organizing them so easy and fun that I got more into taking photos. There are loads of similar services, all very cheap and more convenient then hiding memory sticks up your arse.

Not up my arse, no room there, that's where I hide my cigarette lighter. Just kept them in my pants pocket.

 

I didn't have any photos of girls that i couldn't contact so it would only have been an inconvenience more than a problem, I think. Most of my pics that were "possibly" compromising had been uploaded. Some of the ones that I kept may have made the female customs agent blush though.

[doorman 0]

I load em onto a disc and send them home via the mail. slow boat to china or fed ex which will normally beat you home. Been stopped every time and questioned 3 times searched once. Last 2 times no search. later doorman

[too_mutt 10]

This last time they asked what cities I visited while in Thailand. I'm sure if I had said, "Pattaya," there would have been another trip to the inspection tables.

Are you joking?

 

I usually feel that "honesty is the best policy", but if what you say is true I may have to re-consider.

 

Regards

[soibj 0]

Probably cause you went for a long period of time and you locked your bags. I went for 18 days and locked my bag and they searched pretty well when I arrived back home. Then this past trip for 14 days I left my bag unlocked and walked right through customs, no search's at all. I was worried about all the Cialis, Penegra, Apcialis, and Viagra I was carrying on me.

[Braveheart 0]

Probably cause you went for a long period of time and you locked your bags. I went for 18 days and locked my bag and they searched pretty well when I arrived back home. Then this past trip for 14 days I left my bag unlocked and walked right through customs, no search's at all. I was worried about all the Cialis, Penegra, Apcialis, and Viagra I was carrying on me.

Last trip 53 days, this trip 16. Last trip suitcases locked, this trip backpack and laptop no locks. Last trip male working customs, this trip feminazi.

[upena 2]

I get stopped about 50% of the time (keep in mind that arrival for me in Hawaii is about 0630 -so we are the first plane that the customs folks see) - so - there is no other planes to compete with and I am on a planeload of tourists coming to Hawaii. I have had times when I didnt get searched in 4 trips within one year and the next year got searched every time (3).

 

Mine have been cursory searches....just kind of poking around the bag and asking irrelevant questions about where I work and what I do.

 

Last trip I got sent to counter with a female working. She was polite, professional, asked some work related questions and then had me open my suitcase.

 

She didnt know what to do with what she initially saw. All wires and cables - usually the last thing I pack

 

cell phone charger

battery charger for camera

DVD cables and power cord

usb cable for camera to TV hookup

 

and probably a few more.....guess it looked strange with all the cables and no computer.

 

so...she prodded a bit deeper in the bag and came up with a mystery package - mystery to her. I bought some Lux shower wash - the liquid stuff - as they dont carry that brand here and I like it. I had 4 containers of it Double-wrapped in plastic with rubber bands around it. She was feeling it and squeezing it and then peeled off the rubber band and had a look. She opened one and had a smell. and then told me to close it all up and move on.

 

She never found the DVDs, lighter, camera with photos, and software. Guess I learned not to try and smuggle Lux body wash - only bring back enough for personal use.

[MM 6,562]

I'm in the 50% search group...about half my trips I get a luggage search. Several trips ago, I got the full computer, PDA, cell phone, USB memory stick search. It took 1.5 hours and they were pretty annoying about it, especially since I had forgotten to bring my AC adaptor for my laptop and they were running searches for movies and pictures on it, viewing the pics, movies, etc...asking me "Who is that?" for every female. They told me if my computer ran out of power before they finished searching, they'd confiscate it and send it to the lab. Welcome home, eh?

Make no mistake, they were not looking for drugs or contraband. It was a "morality violation" hunting expedition, well outside the scope of custom's duties, IMHO.

But, the last two trips back to the US, I've been waved through. Maybe they're getting lazy.

[lostinspace 0]

Anyone thinking of thaking their TG or wife back to OZ... expect the same as braveheart,in sydney anyway,,, the first time jan came ,,full search.and the second time with me we both had a full search, not a strip search ,just baggage and the clothes you have on.

they check visa cards,reciepts, they magic wand everything for drugs..we have to go back late sept,i expect the same.

they check on most asian girls coming in.

[Owl_ 0]

In my last trip to Thailand, (Feb and Mar of this year) I spent a week in Bangkok and two weeks in Pattaya as well as a couple of days in Hong Kong with a side trip to Macau and ZhuHai, I was directed to the Custom area to be checked when I returned to SFO (San Francisco). But I believe that reason in my case is that I stated that I purchased jewerly while in Thailand when I filled out my form to declare what I purchased overseas. This was the first Customs agent who reads the form that you fill out while on the plane. I did purchase some in expensive sterling sliver sutff for family members. In any case, the Customs agent who searched my luggage was very nice, friendly and professional in what he did. We talked and he searched but didn't find the jewerly (or anything else that I had packed in the suitcase like the copy watches I got in Thailand!) I purchased so he just asked me to describe what I purchased and the amount I spent as he type the information into the computer. I had my laptop computer, digital camera and video camera with me but he never even asked to see them, but he knew I had them. I was out in a very short period of time.

 

When I take a trip to Thailand, I always stop off in Hong Kong to see friends and check out the action in Hong Kong, Macau and this last time was my first trip to ZhuHai. I think that Customs have a little different mind set when they know you're are coming from Hong Kong instead of a straight flight from Thailand. I might be wrong on that but that's just the feeling I get on my return trips from Asia. Also my suitcase is usually packed with tourist type stuff which I always buy for my family members. I really look like Joe Tourist if you look at the stuff I have in the suitcase. I had Hong Kong Disneyland stuff packed in my main suitcase!

 

But I've learned not to declare any jewerly when I return from any trip out of the country now!

[Braveheart 0]

No. Not joking.  I told them, when asked, I had been to Bangkok, which was true.  With Pattaya's reputation there is no doubt in my mind that if I had said, "Pattaya" I would have been searched, again.

I'm not putting unlocked luggage on any flight, domestic or international.  Why make it easy for the thieves or for someone to plant something in your suitcase.

If you have the proper locks that can be opened by security no problem. If you don't then security officials can cut off the lock or even destroy your suitcase to enable them to view the contents visually. They have the legal right to view the contents of your baggage at any time with or without you being present.

Edited June 16, 2006 by Braveheart

[too_mutt 10]

If you have the proper locks that can be opened by security no problem.

Are you referring to the "TSA locks" that you can purchase at Home Depot or other places? TSA agents have a master key that will open them, bypassing the combination.

 

I used a couple to lock my bag on a trip to Hawaii. I didn't know that people used them on international trips also.

 

Regards

[too_mutt 10]

I think that Customs have a little different mind set when they know you're are coming from Hong Kong instead of a straight flight from Thailand. I might be wrong on that but that's just the feeling I get on my return trips from Asia.

I think you are correct about that.

 

It seems like they sort of have it in for the single destination (LOS) male traveler and stopping in one or two other countries tends to add to the less likely to be hasseled "tourist" image in my opinion.

 

Regards

[Braveheart 0]

Are you referring to the "TSA locks" that you can purchase at Home Depot or other places? TSA agents have a master key that will open them, bypassing the combination.

 

I used a couple to lock my bag on a trip to Hawaii. I didn't know that people used them on international trips also.

 

Regards

My understanding is that the laws apply to all flights originating or terminating in the USA as well as all flights overflying US airspace.

[Owen` 2]

Guys,

 

It's got nothing to do with going to other destinations. If you mention Thailand, you're odds for thorough (digicam memory and laptop -- looking for illegal pictures) search go way up.

 

There are lots of threads on this in the members' section. SFO is very strict. Not all ports of entry are as strict as SFO, but you can have Singapore or Hong Kong or anywhere else listed in the passport and if you spent time in Thailand along with those, your odds go up.

 

Before there is an avalanche of posts from guys who say they were not searched, re-read. "Your odds go up". They are not 100%. It's all statistical. If a whole batch of guys are arriving at the same time and they all spent time in Thailand, then the search crew may be backlogged and you'll be waved through. Or they may just be in a good mood and you'll be waved thru. It's statistical, not certain. Go to Thailand and your odds of very thorough search increase.

 

Get anything even remotely questionable off your camera and laptop. That's a life destroyer and it can be handled just by erasing (not deleting) and being cooperative so as not to trigger more intense search.

[kunjon 1]

I went to Sydney after a month in Thailand and surrounding jaunts. I got thoroughly searched in Sydney on my way to Cairns for holiday.

 

I left Sydney two weeks later and headed home to SFO. They got me as well. They found some prescribed meds from BKK and went bonkers-- 2 of them going through my stuff. I had some medical work done in Bumrungrad which seemed to calm them down. They went through my purchases pretty thoroughly, even asking if I had brand copies. I was wearing a Von Dutch hat but the old guy just turned it inside out. I shrugged my shoulders and they carried on.

 

Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are raising eyebrows right now with increased terror fears. I can't explain just expect it

[Eneukman 1]

If I'm reading the posts correctly here, it seems that the Americans have to fill in a Customs' Declaration when returning to their OWN country. Is this right?

 

So far, we don't have the same in the UK but when I make my first trip back home, I must remember to remove all photos etc and store them on my external hard drive, which will remain here.

 

As there is no direct flight to Edinburgh from Thailand, I will have to change planes somewhere - either Heathrow or Amsterdam etc. Hmmm - maybe flying in via Amsterdam isn't such a great idea.

 

Alan

[LBJ 533]

If I'm reading the posts correctly here, it seems that the Americans have to fill in a Customs' Declaration when returning to their OWN country. Is this right?

Yes, we have to declare to customs what we have bought overseas and are bringing back with us.

 

It's up to customs then whether to search your bags or not.

 

Personally, I haven't been searched for a loooooong time.

[CyberSpud 6]

Anyone thinking of thaking their TG or wife back to OZ... expect the same as braveheart,in sydney anyway,,, the first time jan came ,,full search.and the second time with me we both had a full search, not a strip search ,just baggage and the clothes you have on.

they check visa cards,reciepts, they magic wand everything for drugs..we have to go back late sept,i expect the same.

they check on most asian girls coming in.

When I flew from LOS to Sydney a few years back, the customs guy came and got me from passport control!

 

I was on me tod and had a passport full of SE Asia visas, but was suprised that I was grabbed at passport control.

 

Searched all luggage thoroughly, but luckily no touch me toes.....as if I could with this gut!